Coin-controlled vending-machine.



H. FRANCIS.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY22,1910.

Patented June 1 3, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Inventor Attorneys;

H. FRANCIS.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1910.

Patented June 13, 1911.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Inventor,

Attorneys,

W itn e ges\ I H. FRANCIS.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1910.

@Qfifii Patented June, 13,1911.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

v Attorneys.

HUGH FRANCIS, 0F FAYETTEVILLE, TENNESSEE.

COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Patented J une 13, 19111,

Application filed July 22,1910. Serial No. 573,266.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH FRANCIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fa yetteville, in the county of Lincoln and State 5 of Tennessee, have invented a new and use-- ful Coin-Controlled Vending-Machine, of which the followin is a speclfication.

The coin controfl'ed vending machine of the present invention is particularly adapted for vending cigars, postal cards, bottled beverages of all kinds, and many other commodities which it is not necessary herein to specify.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide improved means for holding a large number of commodities in the receptacle of the vending machine, and for delivering them {properly upon the insertion of a coin.

A- urther ob ect of the invention is to facilitate the operation of recharging the machine when empty,mea ns being provided to permit the removal of an empty package receptacle and the insertion of a full package receptacle, whereby the tedious operation of filling all of the compartments of the package receptacle, while in the machine, is avoided. v

Further objects of the invention are generally to improve, simplify and strengthen the construction of coin controlled devices, as wellas to increase their efiiciency in operation and to decrease the expense attending their manufacture and maintenance.

view, which will appear-as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement ef parts and in the details 'of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. I

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification :-Figure 1 is a vertical section through the preferred form of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken at a right angle to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through a portion of '50 the construction illustrated at the right hand end of Fig. 1, looking upward from a point below the rotary carrier. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing anrodificw tion of the invention adapted particularly for vending postal cards, the construction shown in Fig. 1 being intended'for use par- With the foregoing and other objects in ticularly in vending cigars. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section through the construction shown in Fig. 1 showing a second receptacle in elevation. I

Like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the'difi'erent figures of the drawing.

' Briefly outlined, the machine of the present invention includes -a rotary receptacle having a plurality of radially extending compartments each adapted to receive two or more commodities to be vended. A ribbon or flexible retaining member extends around the rotary receptacle in a spiral or convolute form so as to hold the different layers of commodities therein and to separate such layers from each other. The rotary carrier with the compartments thereof fully charged and the outer end of the ribbon or retaining member suitably secured in place so as to prevent the escape of the commodities, isinserted into the casing of the vending machine and the outer end of the ribbon is detached from the carrier and threaded around a suitable roller, after which it is secured toa spring operated winding drum. The roller around which the ribbon is carried is locatedapproximately adjacent the periphery of the car'- rier so as to cause the ribbon to hold the commodities in their proper compartments until a point is reached at which it is de sired to discharge said commodities on to a suitable delivery chute. The spring operated winding drum by drawing upon the ribbon or flexible element," serves to rotate the carrier. Suitable step by step mechanism is provided for controlling the rotation .of the carrier, and this step by step mechanism is operated by the insertion of a coin.

When the step by step mechanism is operated by a coin, the carrier is released in such manner as to permit the ribbon or flexible element to turn it into osition to discharge the contents of one 0? the compartments, the step by step mechanism preventing any further rotation of the carrier until a new coin has been inserted. It is to be understood, that the flexible element or ribbon serves not only to hold the commodities in the carrier before it is inserted in the machine, but also to separate the different commodities from each other and to produce the necessary rotation of the carrier when the same is in operation.

The reference numeral 1 indicates the bottom of the casing of the machine. Hinged at 2 to the bottom 1 is a supplemental bot tom 3 to the forward edge of which is secured the front 4 of the casing, said front 4 being locked .in any suitable manner as indicated at 5 to the top member 6 of the casing. When it is desired to open the casing so as to permit the removal of an empty package carrier and the insertion of a full carrier, the lock 5 is manipulated, and the front member 4 together with the supplemental bottom 3 are dropped downward.

The means for supporting the rotary receptacle in the casing of the machine, and for permitting the removal and replacement thereof as desired, preferably includes a bracket 8 which extends transversely across the bottom 1 and is provided at the ends thereof with upstanding lugs 99 with which are pivotally connected at 10 a pair of upstanding pivotal members or supports 1111. Thesupports 11 at their upper ends are slotted as indicated at 12to receive the ends of the axle 13 of the package carrier 14. The axle 13 is mounted upon a pair of cross pieces 15 which extend laterally across the central opening through the carrier or receptacle 14 and are connectedv therewith in any sultable manner.

The receptacle 14 is preferably trough-shaped in cross section as illustrated in Fig. 2 and is divided into a plurality of radial compartments 16 by means such as the partitions 17 The pivotal supports 11 for the carrier 14 are connected by means such as the links 18 with the bottom 3, said links 18 being pivotally connected at 19 with the supports 11 and at 20 with the bottom 3. When the forward walls 4 and bottom 3 are unlocked and opened, the links 18 draw the pivotal supports 11 forward, thus swinging the carrier 14 approximately half way out of the easing and permitting its ready removal and the substitution of a new carriage.

The partitions 17 which serve to produce the radial compartment 16 of the package carrier 14 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 are notched as indicated at 22, the edges 23 of said notches being cut on an incline as shown, for the purpose of feeding the flexible band or ribbon 24 into position at the bottom of the notches 22 as shown. In the embodiment of invention illustrated, the notches 22 extend inward in the partition 17 for a distance about equal to one-half of the depth of the partition so as to divide each compartment 16 into an inner and an outer space adapted to receive cigars as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The flexible band or ribbon 24, as shown in Fig. 1, is pasted, or otherwise suitably secured to one of the partitions 17 and is then extended around the basal portions of the notches 22 as shown so as to hold the inner layer of cigars in position. When the ribbon 24 reaches a point approximately opposite the partition 17 it is carried outward. in a spiral direction so as to extend around and confine 1n the compartment 16 the second or outer annular series of cigars. It will be seen, therefore, that each compartment 16 holds two cigars and that both of said cigars are held in proper position and are separated from each other by a single ribbon or flexible element 34.

The retaining member 24 at a point on the periphery of the carrier 14 is extended around a roller 30 mounted upon an axle 31 which is supported by a pair of brackets 32 secured to the front wall 4 of the receptacle. Mounted on the front wall 4 below the roller 30 is an inclined delivery chute 33 having side flanges 34 and an upturned outer end 35 which projects through a delivery opening 36 formed in the front wall 4 of the receptacle. When the carrier 14 is rotated one step, the compartment 16 which is disposed above the roller 30 is brought into position to discharge a portion of its contents onto the delivery chute 34, after which the article to be vended rolls down through the opening 36 and is held by the upturned flange 35. From the roller 30, the ribbon or retaining member 34 is carried upward to a drum 38 which is operated in the fashion of a clock by means of a spring 39 and gear wheels 40 and 41. Any suitable clock-work mechanism can be employed for this purpose. The spring 39 is wound by means of a squared shaft 42 and serves to rotate the drums 38 so as to wind the ribbon 24 thereon, thus rotating the carrier 14 every time said carrier is released by the step by step coin operated mechanism hereinafter described.

The coin by which the machine is to be operated is inserted in the upper end thereof as indicated at and rolls down an inclined chute 51 which is provided at its lower end with a trap door 52 held normally in proper, position by means of a spring 53 bearing against the lower surface thereof. An opening 54 is formed in the casing wall 55 so as to permit the escape of a coin of the wrong denomination. A coin of the proper weight and size when it strikes the rear wall 56 of the chute 51 is halted in its downward movement and rests upon the platform 52 long enough to overcome the pressure of the spring 53, whereupon the platform turns and drops the coin downward through a chute 57 At the lower end of the chute 57, the coin strikes a lever 58 with which is con nected a cord 59. The cord 59 at its upper end is secured to a lever 60. The lever 60 is fulcrumed at 61 and engages a pawl le er 62 which is fulcrumed at 63 and has a downwardly depending member 64 which is adapted to engage any one of the teeth 65 mounted on the periphery of the carrier 14,

the teeth 65 being preferably formed by crimping a strip of metal as shown.- The lever 62 is normally forced downward into engagement with one of the teeth 65 by means of a spring 66. When the lever 60 the sameas in Fig. 1. This rotary carrier indicated by the. numeral 14' is mounted ,upon a shaft 13 which is supported upo n pivotal members-11 and thrown into position for removal by the links 18. The carrier 14in this form of the invention is provided with two receptacles which are indicated generally byv the reference numerals 16, 16 and are separated from each other by the partition 17. The flexible element or ribbon 24 is wound around the receptacle 14 in the same manner as in "Fig. 1 and the postal cards which are indicated by the numeral 60 are wrapped in between the convolutions of the ribbon, The lever 62 which serves to cause a step by step rotation of the carrier 1 1 is pivoted at 63 and is provided with a downward projection 64 which engages a pin 65 mounted upon the end of the carrier 14. Clockwork mechanism is employed the same as in Fig. l for rotating the carrier 14'. It will be noted that when the rotary carrier 14 is brought to rest by the lever 62 engaging either of the two pins 65, the postal card 61 which has been released by the unwinding of the ribbon 21' is in position to slide by gravity onto the delivery chute 33 so as to pass outward through the'opening 36' in the forward wall 4 in the receptacle. The coin entrance is indicated by the reference numeral 50 and the coin chute by the numeral 57 The coin drops onto a lever 58 which, through'a cord 59' operates a trip lever 60 which in turn releases the lever 62 so as to permit the postal card carrier to'be rotated one step by the coil spring 39' of the clockwork mechanism. A postal card 71 shown at the right hand end of Fig. 4, is placed behind the glass wall 4 at the front of the casing so as to indicate the character and design of the post card which the customer will receive 011 inserting a coin.

Fig. 5 illustrates the manner in which a number of postalcard receptacles such as are shown in Fig. 4 are arranged side by side in order that diflerent kinds of postal cards may be vended.

The coin controlled machine of the pres-. ent invention is strong, simple, durable and inexpensive in construction as well as thoroughly efiicient and practical in operation. The carriers which are to be charged with the articles to be vended, can be inexpensively manufactured at the place from which the commodities are shipped and can thus be used as packing cases for said commodities as well as elements of the coin vending machine.

What is claimed as new is 1. A vending machine having a rotary carrier provided with a plurality. of commodity compartments separated by radially extending walls, each compartment being adapted to contain a radially disposed'series of commodities to be vended, and a flexible retaining element extending a plurality of times around said rotary carrier, said retaining element securing said commodities in said compartments and separating tach of the commodities in each compartment from all the other commodities in the same compartment.

2. A vending machine having a rotary carrier provided with a plurality of com modity compartments separate from each other by radially extending walls, each of said walls being formed in its outer edge with an inwardly extending cut awayportion, each of said compartments being adapted to contain a plurality of commodities to be vended, and a flexible retaining element extending ,a plurality of times around the rotary carrier and being seated in the cut away portions of said radial walls, said retaining element securing said commodities in said compartments and separating each commodity in each compartment from the other commodities in the same compartment.

3. A. vending machine having a remov-' able rotary carrier provided with radial compartments separated by radially extending walls formed in their outer edges with cut away portions, each compartment being adapted to receive a plurality of commodities, and the cut away portion of each radial wall extending inward to a depth greater than the thickness of the commodity to be .vended, and a flexible retaining element wrapped a plurality of times around said carrier and seated in the cut away portions of said radial walls, said element securing the commodities in said compartments and separating each commodity from all the other commodities in the same compartments.

4. In a vending machme comprising a rotary carrier havinga plurality of radial compartments therein, a flexible retaining member extending a. plurality of times around the periphery of said ,carrier for holding commodities in said compartments separatedfrom each other, a roller arranged adjacent the periphery of said carrier for guiding said retaining element, a delivery chute adjacent said roller, and a spring oprier ournaled on said frame and having afiexible element extending therearound, and a winding drum ournaled on said door and connected with said flexible element.

6., In a vending machine comprising a cas ing, a movable door for said casing, a carrier movably journaled. in said casing, a connection between said carrier and said door, a flexible element extending around said carrier for holding commodities therein, and a winding drum journaled on said door and connected with said flexible element 7. in a vending machine comprising a casing, a door for said casing, a rotary carrier movably journaled in said casing and hav ing' a plurality of radial compartments therein a connection between said carrier and said door a roller jcnirnaled on said door and normally arranged adjacent said carrier, a flexible element extending around aeaeie said carrier and roller, a winding drum journaled on said door and connected with said flexible element, and means for causing said carrier to move in a step by step manner.

8. In a vending machine comprising a carrier having a plurality of radial compart ments adapted to contain a plurality of commodities, peripheral teeth on said carrier, a

flexible element extending a plurality of times around said carrier for holding a plurality ofcommodities in each of said compartments, and for separating each 0:" said commodities from each other, a roller mounted adjacent the periphery of said car rier for guiding said flexible element away from said carrier, a delivery chute mounted adjacent said roller, and a spring operated winding drum for operating said flexible element to cause it to rotate said carrier.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signa ture in the presence of two witnesses.

HUGH FRANCIS.

Witnesses F. B. Oonsnmmrrnn, WILLIAM CmoirroN CLARKE. 

